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The fifth Istanbul Digital Art Festival (IDAF), Türkiye's first and only internationally recognized digital arts festival, has opened its doors to art lovers at the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM). Backed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the festival brings together 80 local and international digital artists, showcasing cutting-edge works fueled by artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
The festival made its pre-launch debut in Paris and now returns to its home city with the theme “Connecting,” highlighting the transformation of daily life through digital interaction. Istanbul Governor Davut Gul praised the festival for being held continuously for five years, underscoring its cultural impact.
Culture and Tourism Deputy Minister Batuhan Mumcu emphasized the growing importance of digital art in contemporary cultural policy.
“AI-based works, augmented reality productions, and new artistic expressions are now central to our cultural strategies. As the Ministry, we see digital arts as an inseparable part of contemporary art production,” Mumcu said.
He added that supporting emerging artists and creative minds is crucial for reflecting the spirit of the age alongside classical art forms.
Festival Director Nabat Garakhanova recalled the early challenges, stating that digital art was not widely understood when IDAF was first launched. Today, however, the event has evolved into an international cultural platform.
Hale Yildirim, vice president of the Digital Art Association, stated that the association was founded as a direct result of the festival's success: “IDAF started with just 10 artists. Today, that number has grown to 80. Inspired by this remarkable growth, we established the Digital Art Association to further expand the reach of digital art in Türkiye and beyond.”
She outlined their goals to increase visibility for technology-driven artworks, integrate digital art into mainstream platforms, and promote digital art awareness in society.
This year’s curators include Rahim Unlu, Niyazi Erdogan, Samed Karagoz, Evgeniya Romanidi, and Türkiye’s first AI curator, Avind. Among the most anticipated pieces is “Memory Anatolia” (Hafiza Anadolu), a groundbreaking AI-generated installation curated by Karagoz, using millions of visuals from AA’s archives.
The opening program featured a dance performance by the State Folk Dance Ensemble titled “Dance of the Moment,” a concert by the Monster Game Music Orchestra, and a dynamic audiovisual show by SB50 Studio titled “Tonochrome.”
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